Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Are those “unpaid toll” texts hitting Victoria phones actually scams?

Coming up: Gulf Bend Center's Friendship Fest Event on the Victoria Patch calendar

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Tuesday August 18th Patch AM
Tuesday August 18th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello again Victoria! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Are those "unpaid toll" texts hitting Victoria phones actually scams?
  • How Victoria schools and businesses are battling hunger together next month
  • How will Victoria College's new budget affect your property tax bill?

Also on today's calendar: Victoria Farmers' Market and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 99 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Wednesday: Hot; breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 99, low: 75.
  • Thursday: Hot; breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 100 and low of 76 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Victoria County Sheriff's Office Issues Scam Alert (kisselpaso.com) — If you're getting suspicious calls or "unpaid toll" texts in Victoria County, the Sheriff's Office wants you to ignore them and never share personal or financial information. Deputies are warning residents about aggressive scammers posing as legitimate agencies and urging you to delete links, avoid electronic payments, and stay skeptical of anything that feels rushed or too good to be true.
   

2. Food Bank launches second annual Hunger Hero Challenge (victoriaadvocate.com) — Local residents and businesses will soon compete in the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent's second annual Hunger Hero Challenge, running through Sept. 30 and heavily involving Victoria ISD elementary schools. Teams earn points by raising money, collecting food, and volunteering, with last year's effort funding more than 220,000 meals and this year's schools vying for a donated water-slide field day.
   

3. Victoria College approves $36.1 million operating budget with property tax decrease (crossroadstoday.com) — Victoria College trustees have approved a $36.1 million budget and slightly lowered the property tax rate to 18.08 cents per $100 valuation, matching the no‑new‑revenue rate. For a $100,000 home in the district, that means about $180.80 in annual college taxes before exemptions, while the school continues offering affordable education and workforce training for the Victoria area.
   

4. Texas A&M-Victoria introduces Brad Kocher as new athletic director (crossroadstoday.com) — Texas A&M University–Victoria has named veteran athletics administrator Brad Kocher as its new athletic director, signaling a fresh chapter for Jaguar sports in Victoria. Kocher plans to strengthen ties between athletics, academics, and the wider community while emphasizing student success and fundraising to grow the program across South Texas.
   

5. Agreement advances Texas gas-plus-nuclear concept to next phase (ans.org) — A proposed gas‑plus‑nuclear power plant in Victoria has moved into detailed engineering, licensing, and safety analysis, bringing the project a step closer to reality. Developers plan to pair GE Vernova gas turbines with BWRX‑300 small modular reactors to supply massive power for data centers by the early 2030s, which could eventually mean new jobs and investment for the Victoria area.
   

📸 Around Victoria

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Victoria

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Victoria Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Tuesday August 18
  • Cowgirl Volleyball (JV,F)
    Edna ISD Gonzales, TX 78629, USA
    5:00 pm
  • Cowgirl Volleyball (V)
    Edna ISD Gonzales, TX 78629, USA
    6:00 pm
    • Wednesday August 19
  • EHS Cheer Practice- Dome
    Edna ISD Edna, TX 77957
    6:45 am
    • Thursday August 20
  • Cowgirl Volleyball Tournament (V)
    Edna ISD Schulenburg, TX 78956, USA
  • Freshman/JV Football game (Scrimmage)
    Edna ISD Cowboy Memorial Stadium, 1207 Miracle Dr, Edna, TX 77957, USA
    5:00 pm
  • Varsity Football game (Scrimmage)
    Edna ISD Cowboy Memorial Stadium, 1207 Miracle Dr, Edna, TX 77957, USA
    6:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Opinion poll:
    If you have AT&T Air internet, how would you rate it compared to internet from other providers? *** im asking because I'd rather have ATT Fiber, but… (Nextdoor Cimarron)
  • Hey guys!
    I have a few days available this week! Tuesday/Wednesday and Thursday 9am to 3pm.. If needing help with something not listed, we can discuss! (Nextdoor Victoria)
  • TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE posted a job opening for TDCJ - Inventory and Store Specialist II - Mechanical Department in Victoria. Apply here.
  • Goodwill Industries of South Texas, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Production Associate (Houston Hwy) in Victoria. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Victoria here.

Ok Victoria! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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